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Apologetics Discernment Cults Bible Prophecy www.ericbarger.com |
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Apologetics Discernment Cults Bible Prophecy www.ericbarger.com |
The Mormon
Church and its Desperate Attempt
to Appear "Christian"
By ERIC BARGER
June 3, 2001
Mormons are desperately trying to appear as if they are
just another Christian denomination. From their TV ads to their change of doctrines and
temple rituals, there is an all-out effort by the Salt Lake City church to abandon their
once rigid stand that their way is right and that Christian's are "of the
devil". In reality, Mormons, who know what the church teaches,
will admit that Mormonism teaches that it is indeed the only way
and that Christians can only get just so far into the complex eternal hierarchy that
Mormonism presents without jettisoning their beliefs and becoming full-fledged Mormons.
Now, Mormon leaders are using a new technique to attempt to solidify the appearance that they are orthodox Christians. They are moving in concert to join local ministerial associations nationwide (probably worldwide).
Local ministerial associations are common in our day. Church leaders and pastors from various denominations meeting together to fellowship and occasionally join for multi-church, non-denominational events and activities. In many communities these associations encompass everything from the extreme liberal churches to the staunch Bible-believers. (By "liberal" I refer to anyone from any church background that does not hold to the central doctrines as taught by the Bible, i.e., inerrancy of the Scripture, the virgin birth, salvation by grace alone, etc.) It is my observation that the "liberals" are the most devious cult going! Why? More people get to Hell by listening to those who claim to be Christians but do not believe or teach the Scriptures than who end up in it's flames through the work of all of the recognized cults combined!
In the past few weeks I have been in touch with three pastors personally who have fought the acceptance of Mormon Bishops into local ministerial groups. In one case where liberals had control of the ministerial group, the evangelical Bible-believers walked out over the Mormon issue and have formed another group, separate from any liberal or Mormon involvement. In this particular group in Kansas, the Mormon issue became the last straw for those holding Scripture up as their guide. These men (two of which I have preached for on several occasions) could no longer find any grounds for fellowship with the liberals in the group because of the blind and erroneous acceptance that Mormons were just another Christian denomination.
What happened to my friends in Kansas is also probably the case across our nation as men of truth can no longer stomach the liberal's acceptance of the cults into what are supposed to be "Christian" organizations. This is a mixed blessing. It is good because those taking their stand for the Bible will be strengthened and will no longer be hindered by the "leaven" in their local associations. However, it will undoubtedly be portrayed by media types that Bible-believers are too narrow and that the liberals are more loving and inclusive.
I was about to begin writing a piece concerning the tactic being used by the Mormon Church I called my friend Ed Decker author of The God Makers and president of Saints Alive in Jesus to see what he knew about the ongoing Mormon infiltration of ministerial associations. To my utter amazement, Ed replied that he had just emailed me his March/April Saints Alive Newsletter which included the piece "Oxymormons" (reprinted below) on this very issue! Obviously, I was blown away.
But isn't that just like God? The Lord had our ministries and hearts tuned the same direction with the same warning and information for you. So as you read Ed's article, take it to heart and spread the word.
The Mormon trend in joining ministerial associations is just one more in the series of attempts to "Christianize" itself (without abandoning false doctrine) and thus deceive the unsuspecting. The Mormon Church's upcoming proposed name change to "The Church of Jesus Christ" may be their boldest step yet in attempting to appear "Christian". Let's not allow them a free ride.
OXYMORMONS
by Ed Decker
"My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)--and which I should join.
I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof. He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven" (Joseph Smith History 1:18-20)
So, Why would the LDS church ever want its local leaders to be part of a group of preachers whom Christ Condemned?
What an Oxymormon! Well, if that isn’t enough to make you wonder, listen to what the Book of Mormon says about this same group of Christian pastors.
" And it came to pass that he said unto me: Look, and behold that great and abominable church, which is the mother of abominations, whose founder is the devil. And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth." (1 Nephi, 14: 9-10)
These pastors are said to be part of the church of the devil, part of the whore of all the earth. This doctrine was strongly supported for many years in the LDS temple ritual where we learned that such pastors as these were hirelings of Lucifer and taught "the Orthodox religion" for him. That orthodoxy included salvation by grace and a god who is spirit, not an exalted man, the very doctrines upon which these local pastors rest their faith.
Why would the Mormons want any part of these organizations filled with pastors whom they believe have absolutely no authority to act in the name of God? Pastors, including even women, who do not have the authority to baptize people or bless the communion table because they do not hold the LDS priesthood?
What’s it all about?
Obviously, the Mormons haven’t changed a single doctrine, or repented of a single condemnation of the "rest" of Christendom. There is some other motive than joining with other "pastors" in fellowship. The answer is simple: they are on a campaign to infiltrate and disarm the Christian church. Remember, while they are sitting in these pastors’ meetings, the LDS missionaries are going door-to-door seeking to steal the flock while the shepherd is having lunch with the wolf. It’s a great deal for the Mormons. If the pastors open the door to them, the missionaries can share how they are just another Christian church. "Why of course we are Christians! Bishop Smith is a member of the Pastors’ Association." If the pastors do close the door, the Mormons can cry out that they are being persecuted for their faith. It seems like it is a no win situation for evangelical pastors and churches. But, there is a simple way out and it will solve the problem every time. Have an application form ready that has the basic personal information as well as a statement of faith that includes Biblical inerrancy, the Trinitarian doctrine of God and Salvation by grace through Christ. Include a copy of the Apostles’ Creed (which is one of those abominable creeds that the Mormon Jesus warned Joseph about). Sample: "We hold that the Holy Bible is God’s inerrant eternal Word and is the sole, final authority for faith and practice; that Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son, Almighty God come in the flesh and humanity’s only Savior; and that God’s grace through faith in Jesus alone will gain our entrance into the Kingdom of God. We believe in the Trinitarian nature of God as taught in the Bible, believing that God was in Christ redeeming the world by the power of the Holy Spirit. We believe in good works as a result of, rather than a means of salvation. We believe that the New Testament church, the Body of Christ is alive and well today, called to win the lost to Christ and expecting His soon return!" (Statement of Faith: Saints Alive) Welcome the Mormon Bishop to the fellowship. Ask him to fill out the application and
For more on Mormonism in general visit the Information Resource Center
Visit Ed Decker and Saints Alive at www.saintsalive.com
Copyright 2001, Ed Decker and Eric Barger
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